A fair isn’t a fair without lots of deep-fried food and The Eastern Idaho State Fair will have just that and more.
Located in Blackfoot, the fair started today and lasts until Sept. 7. Once you get in it has free entertainment with shows like hypnotists and petting zoos, as well as exhibits where community members share their talents.
“The most fun of the fair is the thrills, the action and the fair food all coming together in one great place,” said Brandon Bird the fair’s manager. “You can slow down, speed up, no matter what your pace, and you can enjoy the fair food at whatever pace you're able to do.”
The fair has over 74 food vendors. You can find foods anywhere from crepes and cakes to Mexican food and barbecue.
Yesterday was the annual Best Fair Food Contest where different vendors competed for the title of the best in their category of sweets, entrees, fair foods and people’s choice. This year, Blackhawk BBQ Pit took home two grand prizes, winning first place in the fairest of them all best entrée with their hog on a log and a people's choice award with their mac n’ cheese bowl.
“We put a lot of work into creating new ideas,” said Nic Transtrum, owner of Blackhawk BBQ Pit. “And there's such good other entries and things that we're competing against. It really keeps you on your toes, and it makes you come up with your best ideas.”
Blackhawk BBQ Pit is located close to the livestock barns on the track inside of the fair.
This year marks 122 years since the beginning of the fair and it continues to bring visitors fun new memories and experiences.
“I love the fair for all the things that it brings, which is a very broad range of activities and things,” Bird said. “It's a very unique event, and it's rooted in the history of people. This year will be a great event for people to come and enjoy more fun.”
For more information about the fair, visit funatthefair.com.